Topeka to Chicago flights only 25 percent full

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Flights between Topeka and Chicago at the Topeka airport drew a low number of customers in the first month of service.

But an airport official says United Airlines officials expected the low numbers during the first month of service and believe use will improve in the coming months.

United began flying between the two cities in January, and the flights have been only 25 percent full this month.

Eric Johnson, president of Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, said Thursday that the flights need to average 69 percent of capacity to maintain the service in the future.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1bdaTow ) Johnson said advance bookings show the 50-passenger flights will carry an increased number of passengers in February, and even more in March.